Going into week 11 and just off of their bye week, the Dallas Cowboys sit at a lowly 2-7 record. In a normal year in an average NFL division, this would almost certainly mean they have no chance to make the playoffs. However, the 2020 NFC East is the worst division in the history of NFL football, with every team in it being at least three games under .500.
The Cowboys have shown something in the last two games that indicate they could still be in the mix to win the NFC East, though, and that might not be ideal for a team that needs high-end defensive talent in the upcoming 2021 draft.
Looking at the remaining schedule of the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles have the hardest route to overcome. They will face off against the Seahawks, Packers, Saints, and Cardinals all before the ending the season in week 17 against the Washington Football Team. At the same time, it could be argued that the Cowboys have the easiest remaining schedule in the division.
Even with that schedule, this is a team that’s faced multiple bad teams this year and still lost. In fact, if you’d have asked me if they would win the division prior to their last two games (the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers), I would’ve answered with an emphatic “No.” In those games, the team appeared to have more grit and determination, specifically on defense – their weakest area and among the worst in NFL history.
Maybe it just took eight weeks for the new defensive scheme under Mike Nolan to click and for the players to buy in. Maybe the return of players like DE Randy Gregory, LB Leighton Vander Esch, and LB Sean Lee is helping. It’s surely a mixture, and while they still aren’t anywhere near a top-half-of-the-league D, the improved play gives them a real fighting chance in such a poor division.
That brings us to next year’s draft. The NFC East winner will pick no earlier than 18th or 19th in the first round of the draft. With the Cowboys needing more talent at cornerback, safety, defensive tackle, and even linebacker, making the playoffs could actually be worse for their future. Unless a drastic turnaround occurs, it’s very unlikely this team would win even the first round of the playoffs.
On the other hand, the talent at the top of 2021’s draft doesn’t line up well with what the Cowboys need. If their current draft spot at #3 were to stand, the best options would be to trade back for more value-appropriate picks for the defense or draft Oregon OT Penei Sewell. LT Tyron Smith hasn’t been healthy for a full season in years, and if he does happen to stay healthy next season, Sewell wouldn’t have much trouble starting at LG over Connor Williams.
With seven games remaining, it’s anybody’s guess on how this will play out. It’s fair to say that this Dallas Cowboys coaching staff and their players are still fighting to make the playoffs, and why wouldn’t they? It seems that in many fans’ eyes, though, the prospect of a top-10 pick is more alluring than winning the worst division in football with a likely first-round playoff exit.
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